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00:00OKC, New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden.
00:03OKC, a four to four and a half point favorite, depending on where you're shopping,
00:06and a total of 221 and a half.
00:08Last night, Joe, the Oklahoma City Thunder were taking on the Chicago Bulls.
00:11I said, you know what?
00:12I think the Bulls can hang around in this one.
00:14That they did, Joe.
00:15Hung around within eight points here to get the 10 and a half point cover.
00:18But tonight, OKC maybe rested some players last night to get ready for tonight against the New York Knicks.
00:23Should be a good one in the garden, Joe.
00:25What's your spread line tonight?
00:26Thunder, Knicks.
00:27Yeah, well, that's the whole thing, right?
00:28So OKC knew this back-to-back game was coming because they knew they didn't have to start
00:33everybody, SGA and others, last night in order to take down the Chicago Bulls.
00:40They didn't cover it, by the way, either.
00:42But I do like the Knicks' effort last night against the Raptors, especially in the fourth quarter.
00:47They brought the defense, and that's what the Knicks are doing.
00:50They're taking it up a level here on the defense.
00:52I think it's a great matchup at the Garden.
00:55It's nothing but OKC money overnight.
00:58But I'd be careful.
00:59I think the Knicks can hang with them at home.
01:02We'll see what happens in that game.
01:03And also, how about the Charlotte Hornets on absolute fire on the court and also from the
01:08three-point line?
01:08They're going to take on the Boston Celtics, who it is Wednesday.
01:11We're anticipating a Friday night return for Jason Tatum.
01:14But the line in this one opened up at six overnight, but actually increased to six and a half.
01:19Ticket count's pretty good at 50-50.
01:20The Hornets won last night.
01:22Celtics come in tonight as the favorite, Joe.
01:23What's your spread line for Hornets Celtics tonight?
01:26Well, you know, the Knicks and OKC both on the second of a back-to-back.
01:31Charlotte is on the second of a back-to-back after that win last night against Dallas.
01:36But they might have lost LaMelo in that game there.
01:40He left early, did not return in that matchup.
01:43So they might be down one of their big three, which I believe is why we've seen the total
01:48drop from an open to 215-and-a-half, Donnie, down to 211-and-a-half, 212-and-a-half
01:54in spots.
01:55So, yeah, their quarterback might not be available for this one for the Hornets.
02:00That might be a problem for them.
02:02I'll tell you what was a problem last night.
02:04The Philadelphia 76ers getting absolutely smashed by San Antonio.
02:07It's a great bounce-back spot for them.
02:08But I love the fact that the NBA is like, you know what, we're going to spotlight Sixers
02:12and Spurs, old-school telecasts, let's get everybody watching.
02:15And the Sixers are like, and Bede's going to sit this one out, Oubre's not going to play,
02:19and they get dropped by 40 points on national TV.
02:22This is why we can't have nice things in the NBA, because when we have a special night like
02:26that, the NBA players, they ruin it themselves.
02:28We'll be right back after this short break.
02:30More topics in basketball coming up next.
02:33We're right back at it here.
02:34Did you have some fun there?
02:35It's Cam Stewart breaking down golf, breaking down hockey, and everything.
02:38You need to know, absolutely.
02:39But there's still a lot of news and notes left to go, particularly as we have one more
02:43segment in this hour.
02:44Before we bring you hour number two, and a lot more fun, which will include those predictive
02:49markets and also an appearance by Kevin Walsh, host of Game Time Decisions, 6 to 7 p.m.
02:54Eastern.
02:55That includes Gabriel Morenci.
02:57How about that?
02:58But, Joe, let's talk about this topic here.
03:00If you have good lawyers, it feels like you can get out of anything, even if you were possibly
03:04caught red-handed.
03:05Chauncey Billups and other defendants are back in court this week.
03:08Joe, for hearings on the gambling scandals that ensnared the NBA.
03:12I'm telling you right now, the information that came out, boom, boom, boom, bullet point,
03:16bullet point, bullet point.
03:17It's hard to beat the feds, but it feels like if you have money, you always stand a chance.
03:22And it's going to be interesting that when are, when does this trial begin?
03:27When is it going to coincide with the offseason for the NBA?
03:31Is it going to coincide with the, something tells me, yeah, they're showing up in court
03:38just basically to plead their stuff and then they're leaving.
03:40But a trial likely going to happen way after the NBA finals this year, I think.
03:47How about this other story from the NBA?
03:49And by the way, how old is Harrison Barnes at this point?
03:51It's been playing since like the year 1996.
03:55A 364 game played streak came to an end last night.
03:58It was ruled out against the 76ers, so they didn't need them versus the Sixers.
04:02They killed them.
04:02But it is nice to see that not everybody needs load management, Joe, apparently.
04:08Yeah, well, there are a handful of guys still, Donnie, that it's, it's nice to see they're
04:13old school.
04:13Like if I'm healthy and I can play, I'm going to play, period.
04:17And Harrison Barnes has been a guy like that for a while across a lot of different teams
04:22too, Donnie.
04:22But yeah, I think he's, he's a guy that certainly will help the death of San Antonio as they
04:29make a run at OKC this postseason.
04:32By the way, we had a good one last night in the Eastern Conference show.
04:35We teed it up there and it was a close one, 109, excuse me, 113 to 109, a victory by
04:40the
04:40Cavaliers over the Detroit Pistons.
04:43Good win for them as you continue to see James Harden playing a lot of minutes despite having
04:47that fractured thumb.
04:4839 wins for the Cavaliers now in the season, 45 for the Pistons.
04:52Not going to catch the Pistons in the regular season, but maybe sending some shots here for
04:56the playoffs.
04:56Like, we can handle you.
04:58Yeah, I mean, listen, that was, you know, they got this kid, Jalen Tyson, who was phenomenal
05:04last night because they didn't have Donovan Mitchell.
05:07I mean, but they did have Evan Mobley.
05:11Schroeder showed up in a big way for him.
05:13But I, you know, Detroit let one get away.
05:16They should have been able to beat that shorthanded Cavs team last night.
05:20But unfortunately, they didn't make enough shots down the stretch and the Cavaliers did.
05:26And how about this one tonight?
05:28A couple of really good games.
05:29Looks like we have six total games tonight.
05:31One of those, the Charlotte Hornets.
05:32And usually we talk about the Charlotte Hornets and be like, oh, nobody wants that game.
05:34It's a blowout.
05:35They're probably tanking.
05:36Not correct here.
05:37Absolutely red hot and on fire.
05:39And a fun team to watch.
05:40That includes a lot of three-point shots made.
05:42They're on the road, though, after a victory last night to take on the Boston Celtics tonight.
05:46The Hornets, Joe, getting six and a half at just about every outlet.
05:49But a low total of two, twelve and a half.
05:53Should be a good one up at the Garden tonight.
05:55Yeah, it should be a very good one, in fact, there.
05:58But, again, second of a back-to-back, although, I mean, that was such a blowout of Dallas, who is
06:04in full tank mode there.
06:06I mean, who are we kidding here?
06:08You know, they thought Cooper Flagg was coming back.
06:12No, he's not.
06:13Like, you're not going to see him again for the rest of the season here.
06:16But as long as the Hornets can stay healthy, this is a legit team that is not going.
06:22Nobody's walking over Charlotte anymore, Donnie.
06:24That's for sure.
06:26No.
06:26And apparently, if they're down, they just have a couple trips up the court.
06:29Triple, triple, triple.
06:30Oh, they're right back in this game.
06:32So, an interesting team to watch down the stretch.
06:34And also, an interesting look at who's going to win the rookie of the year.
06:37Is it Khan Knipple now?
06:38That's the favorite.
06:39And we'll be able to carry this thing?
06:41Apparently, heading down the stretch, knocking down three-point shots, increases your value.
06:44Who would have thought that?
06:46Let's keep it in the NBA, Hawks and the Bucs here.
06:48I don't know what's up with the Bucs.
06:50Giannis comes back to get smoked.
06:51Giannis, who knows who's going to play tonight because it's day-to-day.
06:54Doc Rivers has no answers as a head coach.
06:56But how about this?
06:57The Hawks last night were a favorite by minus one.
06:59Today, this morning, Joe, minus ones and minus one and a halves in the marketplace
07:02for those Milwaukee Bucs in a total of 233 and a half.
07:06You want to talk about having fun handicapping this game?
07:08Good luck.
07:10Yeah, well, I got to tell you, I mean, Jonathan Kaminga has really shown up and shown out here.
07:15I mean, he is just making the Golden State Warriors look terrible in his brief stint here with the Hawks.
07:22They're going to play up-tempo.
07:24I'm having a hard time thinking to sweat out an under in this game because I don't think we're going
07:28to get less points.
07:30I think we're going to get more points.
07:31Now, there's a spot tonight that I do like in the association, Joe, and you might have to wait to
07:36the end of, you know,
07:37or midway through hour number two.
07:39So it's Utah Jazz into Philadelphia 76ers.
07:42The Sixers got smashed by 40 last night.
07:46Sixers are laying close to double digits tonight.
07:49Nobody wants to bet the Sixers.
07:51They stink.
07:52Hmm.
07:53Hour number two is next.
07:55You know, we save the best for the 8 o'clock hour.
07:57And sometimes people on the network have a tough time waking up this early, but you got to put that
08:02call in.
08:03People have to show up and respond.
08:05My name is Donnie Rightside.
08:06He's Joe Ranieri.
08:07And the guy we're bringing in next, if you don't know him here, I schooled him in this industry here.
08:11And look how far he's come along to be the host of Game Time Decisions, radio on the network at
08:166 p.m. with Gabriel Morenci.
08:18Love to have him.
08:20He's back.
08:21It's Kevin Walsh on the early line.
08:23How about this?
08:25That's good.
08:25I'm glad the teleprompter didn't break on you as you ran through that script.
08:30We're now ready to go.
08:31We got a lot of good stuff.
08:33You know, some moving things around over on Game Time Decisions, but we're getting in that rhythm now, myself and
08:38Gabe.
08:38And that's even kind of a bit of a full circle situation there, because Gabe used to host that, brought
08:43me in through that.
08:44So, yeah, we're making it all happen.
08:46By the way, I got to say, the setup looks fantastic.
08:49It looks crisp.
08:50The camera's there.
08:51The background is sensation.
08:53You got the Sports Grid logo there.
08:54You got the beard trimmed up, the hair looking good.
08:57And away we go, Kevin.
08:58We know you love the NBA.
08:59And the NBA, you know from me, not really big in the regular season.
09:02I love the NBA in the playoffs.
09:04It's so exciting.
09:05I can't wait till they get there.
09:06But, could we have a preview tonight in the Garden when OKC comes to town to take on the New
09:12York Knicks tonight?
09:13Graphics shows the Knicks are actually the underdogs at plus four and a half and a total of 221 and
09:18a half.
09:19OKC did play last night, rested some players.
09:22Come on, man.
09:22Give us the breakdown, Kev.
09:24What's going on in the Garden tonight?
09:25Yeah, so this is an interesting spot because, I don't know, it feels like 90% of handicapping the NBA
09:31right now is anyone on a back-to-back.
09:34And both of these teams are.
09:36But Oklahoma City is a little different.
09:39Sometimes, and I do think it's smart when a team accepts that guys can't play on back-to-backs instead
09:45of being blindsided by it.
09:48They rested Shea yesterday against Chicago.
09:50They rested Isaiah Hartenstein, who used to be a Knick.
09:54So it matters to him to go out there and play against this team.
09:57They know they can beat the Bulls with 25 minutes from Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace running around, right, guys?
10:02So they have set themselves up here quite nicely to have SGA available for 32 to 35 minutes, right, depending
10:12on what's needed in this basketball game.
10:15You'll notice the injury reports say these guys are GTDs, and yet the sportsbook, they're posting full props.
10:22They completely anticipate these guys being out there and available.
10:27The Knicks last season could not beat the best teams in the league, and that was a lot to be
10:32made about how it related to Boston.
10:34But it also translated to the Western Conference, and it translated to their games against the Thunder.
10:39Each of them were double-digit losses, including losing to OKC by 25 points in this building.
10:44The Knicks had one of their better results in a while, which was that home blowout of San Antonio.
10:51If this Knicks team is going to do anything, it should be to protect Madison Square Garden.
10:57So four and a half looks like a lot to me.
11:00I could only take those points with the Knicks, but I think the Shea props here are the most tempting
11:06because he is well-rested for this game.
11:10It's interesting, Kev, with the Knicks, too, right?
11:13They had that ridiculous loss to a shorthanded Cavs team a couple of games ago.
11:19But then you look at, you know, something clicked again with this Knicks team, but only this time defensively.
11:25We know Brunson and company can score.
11:28But, I mean, they held under 100 points.
11:30Milwaukee, San Antonio, Toronto last night.
11:33They clamped down in the fourth quarter to close it out on the road.
11:36You know, all of a sudden, you give me that kind of effort defensively, what is the ceiling of the
11:41Knicks this year?
11:42I think it's a good point, right?
11:45They've now held, as you said, three straight under 100 for the last five.
11:49The ceiling has to be actually making the NBA championship.
11:53And I guess if you're there, you can win it, right?
11:55The Pacers, I think, taught everybody that last season.
11:58It's that this Knicks team is supposed to be what the Pistons are right now.
12:04They're supposed to be that we ran it back, sit atop the conference, we're the best of the bunch, and
12:09the Knicks have just been punked by Detroit this year, right?
12:12And they left a lot to be desired, as you mentioned, within that Cavs game, where I wonder a little
12:19bit if this Knicks group are, and I hate this comparison, but the old LeBron teams where the regular season
12:26was a waste of their time because nobody's going to be judged on the regular season.
12:29So sometimes they show up, and sometimes they don't, right?
12:33And when they don't, it looks disgusting.
12:36I don't know who's going to win the Eastern Conference just yet.
12:38I have a preseason ticket on Philly.
12:40It feels like once every three weeks, they lose a game by 40.
12:43So I don't feel great about that.
12:45We could probably reinvest somewhere in the market.
12:47And the Knicks are worth considering.
12:50But these are the kind of games, Joe and Donnie, that they have to show up for.
12:55They cannot lose.
12:57If they lose, it's fine.
12:58They can't lose by 25, 30 points in the Garden against Oklahoma City.
13:03Measuring stick games is what we're looking at.
13:05It's a huge game in the Garden tonight.
13:06The boys tonight on Game Time Decision certainly had you covered right before Game Time.
13:10Six to seven right here on the network.
13:11It's Kevin, and it's Gabe here.
13:13I want to ask you this question, Kevin, because we do a lot of stuff here on the early line,
13:16which includes in the predictive markets.
13:17And it's nice to get a LeBron James backer here.
13:20I've been screaming for months here.
13:22And on Cal sheet, you can bet this, Kevin.
13:24LeBron James announces his retirement before the 2026-2027 season.
13:29The fine print is, yeah, he can announce his retirement and play the season, but that's not the way it
13:33reads.
13:33He would have to retire before the season starts and not play any games next year.
13:37Kevin, it was trading as high as 46% on January the 14th, and it's crashed all the way down
13:42to 16% now.
13:45There is no way LeBron James does not have a tour where he goes around the NBA and gets his
13:51flowers.
13:51No chance he retires before the season next year.
13:54Or, Kevin, are we hearing some of those rumors where, oh, he's going to lead the Las Vegas or Seattle
13:59franchise and become an owner right away?
14:01I don't believe it.
14:02Do you think LeBron is playing next year?
14:03I do, just because he still clearly can, and I don't think he's going to be satisfied with how things
14:12end in Los Angeles.
14:13The one thing that I'm interested about the LeBron retirement tour stuff, and again, I ultimately think he plays next
14:21year.
14:22I do wonder if it becomes an in-season announcement next year instead of a before the year, because I
14:29do think he's going to struggle to walk away, and I don't think he wants to do what Tom Brady
14:34did.
14:34I don't think he wants to announce he's retiring and then not retire.
14:38He's going to, because he's LeBron, probably on this show, love you both, get crushed no matter what he does.
14:45Retire, not retire, do a tour, don't do a tour, go to the Cavs, go to the Knicks, go to
14:50the Warriors, stay in L.A.
14:52He can never do right for some people.
14:55Ultimately, I think he plays next year.
14:57I think the Cavs are the favorite.
14:58I think the Knicks have a legitimate chance to get him.
15:01I think that the Lakers are continuing to not just waste his time, but waste Lucas as well.
15:08Look, always remember this, Kevin.
15:09Jordan played against plumbers and electricians here.
15:12LeBron had to play the best of the best.
15:14We'll leave that here.
15:14It's Kevin Walsh, catch you on GTD tonight, and we'll see him tomorrow.
15:18Let's flip it over to the NBA.
15:20The Oklahoma City Thunder on the road to take on the New York Knicks.
15:22Key ingredients here, Joe.
15:24OKC played last night.
15:25New York played last night.
15:26Both of these coming in on a back-to-back.
15:28OKC rested some of these players.
15:30We had a nice preview with Kevin Walsh from Game Time Decisions previously here.
15:33But Oklahoma City, if you want them on the money line, trading at a 60% chance to win this
15:37game.
15:38New York at 40%.
15:39The favorites are Oklahoma City, listed at 3.5, trading at a 53% clip.
15:44And also the total, Joe, 224.5.
15:46That's listed at 46%.
15:49OKC versus the New York Knicks in the Garden tonight.
15:53Yeah.
15:54Well, you know, when I think of these two teams right now, Donnie, I'm not thinking wild shootout tonight.
15:58I am thinking fewer points.
16:00I'm thinking the defenses are going to have their way.
16:03I think Mitchell Robinson in the middle there.
16:06I think Chet Holmgren.
16:08I, you know, Hartenstein's going to make his return to the Garden.
16:11The Knicks, unfortunately, you know, in this spot here on the second of a back-to-back with travel.
16:17But they are home.
16:19And I kind of like the under here, Donnie.
16:22I think fewer points are coming here tonight.
16:24I don't think this is going to land anywhere near 230.
16:28I think the under is a much better look in this spot.
16:31Both teams, by the way, coming in pretty good form as well.
16:33The New York Knicks here, winners of five of their past six games.
16:36Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of six of seven games.
16:38Could we have a possible preview of the NBA Finals?
16:42We'll find that out here.
16:43But let's keep it in the association tonight.
16:44Up in Boston.
16:45And usually we talk about just, hey, DePaul's out there.
16:48You see a doormat.
16:49Charlotte usually a non-factor in the NBA regular season.
16:52Not the case this year.
16:53Good young trio here.
16:54They're knocking down three-point shots here.
16:56They're going to take on Boston tonight in the garden.
16:58Boston trading at a 68% chance to win this game.
17:02Charlotte, Joe, listed at 32%.
17:04The spread in this game, listed at 78%, at 48% as a chance to cover for Boston.
17:10And a 213 price point on the total, trading at 50%.
17:13Fun game in Boston tonight.
17:16Yeah, Jalen Brown, I don't believe, is on the injury report here tonight.
17:20So, it looks like he'll be available for them here.
17:25Lomelo last night left the game for a little while, but did return.
17:29And it looks like he'll be good to go here.
17:32And it's a great litmus test.
17:34I mean, the Celtics right behind Detroit as the top team in the East, right?
17:37But there is no doubt, no team has been hotter, Donnie, since the calendar turn than the Charlotte Hornets.
17:45And why their perimeter shooting, the defense that they've been playing, you gotta like them here to try to keep
17:52this thing close.
17:53But to me, you know, Boston's winning with defense here.
17:57Three-point shooting and defense.
17:58Can they limit the Charlotte Hornets from the perimeter?
18:01If they don't, Donnie, this game is flying over the total.
18:06And by the way, a lot on the horizon here for the Boston Celtics.
18:09Playing this game on a Wednesday.
18:10Anticipated comeback for Jason Tatum on Friday here.
18:14So, a lot to look forward to if you are a Celtics backer.
18:16But understand this, too, when we talk about predictive markets.
18:19Hey, Joe and Donnie are talking about sides and totals in this game.
18:21Well, you also can bet props, NBA points here in the NBA.
18:25Looking at Calci, Peyton Pritchard to get 15-plus, Vucevic to get 10-plus here.
18:29All different denominations where you can slide it up, Joe.
18:3210 points, 15 points, 25 points.
18:34If you expect tonight, Jalen Brown to come back with a vengeance.
18:3725 points here, Joe.
18:39Trades at 68% to the yes.
18:41A $100 investment would pay back 148.
18:43You get it all in the predictive markets, Joe.
18:46You do.
18:46You really do.
18:48I mean, and listen, Charlotte, they've been playing some defense, too.
18:52Three of their last four opponents have landed under 100 points.
18:56So, there's a reason why this total is dropped.
18:59And it's all going to come down to the three-point shot.
19:02Who do you trust more?
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